Dal Saag - Indian Recipe

Dal Saag is a popular dish in India that combines lentils with vegetables.

Ingredients:
1 cup moong dal
2-3 tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
8 curry leaves 1/4 teaspoon asafoetida
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 piece of ginger root grated
2 green chiles
2 cups of chopped spinach
5 scallions, diced

Place the moong dal in a saucepan and add 3 cups of water. Bring to boil and let simmer for half an hour. Legumes absorb enormous amounts of liquid so you may have to add more.

Heat oil in saucepan and add mustard seeds, cover and allow to pop. Stir in curry, asafoetida, turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, and chiles, then pour into the dal.

Finally, stir in spinach and scallions and cook for a few minutes. Salt to taste

Bhein Mirch Masala - Indian Recipe

Ingredients:

Lotus Stems - 4 medium pieces
Oil - 5 Tbsp
Water - 1 Cup

[Masala]
1 tsp turmeric powder
1-1/2 tsp salt
5 tsp coriander powder
1/4 tsp ginger powder
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp amchur (mango powder)

Method:

1. Trim both the ends of the stems.

2. Cut into some 1 to 1 and 1/2 inch long pieces and some 1/4 inch pieces.

3. Wash with lukewarm water thoroughly. Make sure all the grooves are clean of any dirt.

4. Mix all the spices in a bowl.

5. Hold the big pieces over the masala bowl and fill the holes with the spice mix. Make sure that the pieces are a little damp so that the spices stick to them. Fill the big pieces from both sides. For smaller pieces put them together in the leftover masala mix and roll gently to cover with the spices.

6. Heat oil in a pressure pan or cooker.

7. Put all the pieces in the oil and saute gently on low heat for 5 minutes.

8. Add one cup of water and stir gently.

9. Cover the pressure cooker and cook on high heat till the first pressure whistle comes.

10. Let it cook on low heat for 15 more minutes.

11. Open the cooker and check to see the tenderness. (Should be similar to a hard boiled potato). If they are still hard, let it pressure cook for a few more minutes.

12. If there is still some water, let it simmer for a few more minutes with the lid open.

Serve with freshly made chapati or tandoori roti and Enjoy!!!